The Austin Police Department is well on its way toward implementing recommended changes to its training academy, according to a presentation Monday from consulting firm Kroll Associates. APD has enacted nearly all of the short-term recommendations and just under half of the long-term recommendations outlined in Kroll’s April 2021 report on the academy’s teaching methods, […]
Austin Police Department
the law enforcement entity for the City of Austin.
Posted inPublic Safety
Safer Sixth Street memo pushes new cameras, advises against gun buyback
The city is moving ahead with several new components of last year’s Safer Sixth Street initiative, with police, fire and emergency services staff already using a new staging area on Neches Street intended to improve response times for medical needs and “no-notice” events. In a memo released last week, Joe Chacon, chief of the Austin […]
Posted inPolice
Austin OKs $850,000 settlement for volunteer medic shot with ‘less-lethal’ ammunition during protest
The city of Austin approved a $850,000 settlement to resolve a lawsuit over the Austin Police Department’s use of so-called less lethal ammunition during the 2020 racial justice protests. Maredith Drake, a street medic during protests outside police headquarters, was shot with a “beanbag” filled with lead pellets while trying to help a demonstrator who’d […]
Posted inPolice
City, police union negotiate new labor contract after eventful five years
The city of Austin and the Austin Police Association met for their sixth day of negotiations Monday as they work toward a new labor contract. The city’s bargaining team proposed changes to the contract’s drug-testing and promotion provisions, citing recommendations from a January 2022 report by a consulting firm hired to review the Austin Police Department. […]
Posted inPolice
Austin faces another round of lawsuits related to police use of ‘less lethal’ rounds
Three more demonstrators are suing the Austin Police Department for injuries sustained from so-called less-lethal ammunition fired by police over a weekend of racial justice protests in 2020. More than a dozen protesters have sued the department for use of the ammunition, which include either foam rounds fired from a 40 mm launcher or bags filled with lead pellets […]
Posted inPolice
Chacon pledges more diverse police force
Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon told members of the Public Safety Commission Monday that his department has signed the 30 by 30 pledge, a national initiative that agrees to diversify the police force by 2030. APD is one of 40 law enforcement agencies that have signed the pledge. Overall, Chacon said, just 11 percent of […]
Posted inPublic Safety
No clear path forward for medical marijuana use by public safety employees
Now that medical marijuana is legal in Texas, will Austin allow its first responders to use it? A Monday afternoon briefing at City Council’s Public Safety Committee meeting showed that the hurdle, for once, does not come from the state government, but from federal regulations. Thanks to House Bill 1535, Texas now allows registered physicians […]
Posted inPublic Safety
City office working to prevent violence
Austin is seeking strategies to prevent gun violence, help at-risk young people avoid the pitfalls associated with violence, and assist victims of trauma. It’s all the job of the Office of Violence Prevention, which is a part of Austin Public Health. Michelle Myles, manager of the violence prevention office, briefed City Council at Tuesday’s work […]
Posted inCity Hall
Civil rights office could take over enforcement of city’s ADA regulations
The city may fold enforcement of all concerns related to the Americans with Disabilities Act into the Office of Civil Rights, a change that would take those responsibilities away from human resources staff. A resolution was passed unanimously at this month’s meeting of the Mayor’s Committee for People With Disabilities that asks for the reorganization. Commissioner Robin […]
Posted inPolice
Another demonstrator is suing Austin and an APD officer after being shot with a beanbag round
Austin is being sued in civil court by another demonstrator who was struck by so-called “less-lethal” rounds during protests over police violence and racial justice in 2020. On Tuesday, Bomani Barton filed a civil suit against the city and the Austin police officer he claims shot him three times with beanbag rounds on May 30, […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Commission recommends moving APD forensics lab
With little fanfare, Austin’s Public Safety Commission voted unanimously Monday to ask City Council to move the Forensic Science Bureau out of the Austin Police Department, making it independent both in structure and budget. Commissioners signaled last month that they would likely take up such a resolution this month after hearing from Assistant City Manager […]
Posted inPolice
Austin OKs $2.95 million settlement for Brad Levi Ayala, teen injured by police at 2020 protests
Austin City Council agreed to pay Brad Levi Ayala $2.95 million for injuries suffered after being shot by an APD officer on May 30, 2020. Ayala, who was 16 at the time, suffered brain trauma as a result of the shooting. Nicholas Gebhart, a nine-year veteran with the department, has been indicted for the shooting. […]